Asphalt driveways are one of the first things you see when pulling up to someone’s home. Friends, family, neighbors, delivery drivers and even salespeople all use your driveway. It is safe to say most driveways get a lot of use. It is important to know how to take care of your asphalt driveway to maintain it and ensure it lasts for years to come.
Damage:
One of the things you will notice with an asphalt driveway is that it deteriorates overtime. Normal wear and tear on the driveway can cause it to become damaged. Cracking, oil spots, potholes, edge cracking and even grass growing are all signs of damage to an asphalt driveway. Once you notice damage you will want to have it fixed as quickly as possible to help prevent more damage overtime. Visit Shattuck Paving for more information on the types of damage that can occur to a lot of asphalt driveways.
If you are repairing your asphalt driveway yourself or you are having a professional come in to help, make sure you get your cracks repaired as soon as possible to prevent water and frozen temperatures from causing them to get worse.
Maintain Your Driveway:
The best way to maintain your driveway is by having it sealed with an asphalt sealer. Typically, you should have your driveway sealed every 3-5 years. If your driveway has heavy usage, or you live in an area with severe weather you may have to have it sealed more frequently.
Whether you hire someone to seal your asphalt driveway or you do it yourself it is important to make sure you are using a high-quality sealer. A asphalt sealer may help with the aesthetics of the driveway but it is actually extremely beneficial with helping it last longer. An asphalt sealer can help protect your driveway from heavy rains, snow, freezing temperatures and even normal wear and tear that can breakdown the driveway overtime.
Another thing that pairs with maintaining your driveway is seasonal maintenance. Every spring you should pay attention to several things to ensure you are keeping it in the best condition possible. After the winter months are over, take a good look at your driveway and evaluate the condition of the driveway.
Another thing you will want to do is pay attention to the edges of the asphalt driveway. Pay attention to the weeds and grass growing on the edges of the driveway and clean them back to prevent them from growing in the cracks. It is also important to give your driveway a good cleaning every spring and maintain it throughout the warmer months from getting covered in unnecessary oil, dirt or debris.
Is a Driveway Part of Your Home Inspection?
When you have your home inspected, driveways are typically only part of the inspection report when they have an effect on the structure of the home. As a courtesy some inspectors may discuss the driveway as a courtesy for the client especially if they notice considerable damage or safety issues. According to Ellingwood Pro Home inspections and the Standards of Practice they follow, it is only required that driveway(s) and walkway(s) be reported when they have an effect on the structure. A full list of what is covered during an Ellingwood Pro inspection can be found here.
As the warmer months are over and the cooler months of fall are quickly approaching, take a look at your asphalt driveway to determine what you should do to make sure it is ready for the winter. When determining if you need to repair cracks or have the asphalt re-sealed be sure you are using high quality products to keep your driveway in tip top shape.
